Expectations are high for Brunei Darussalam’s downstream energy sector, as Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) island prepares to welcome the country’s first oil refinery and aromatics cracker complex, highlighting the Sultanate’s growing potential as a destination for value-added processing.

Upon completion, the plant is expected to inject an estimated $2bn per annum into the Bruneian economy and boost GDP by around 2% when fully operational, according to Mohammad Parvez Imdad, an economist at the South-east Asia department of the Asian Development Bank, speaking to local media earlier this year.

Island future

First envisaged in 2011, the PMB industrial island project mirrors Singapore’s Jurong Island, an artificial land mass located south-west of the city-state’s main island. Jurong has become a cornerstone of Singapore's energy and chemicals …

The uncut polymer currency, which can be used as legal tender, will be available for purchase for members of the public.

“The sales of the limited numbers of the $1 and $10 notes will kick start on Monday, August 31, and the public can buy it from AMBD located at the Commonwealth Drive during government office hours,” said Mardini bin Haji Eddie, Executive Director of AMBD’s Monetary Operations Department at a press conference held at the Brunei Currency Monetary Board Building.

The uncut three-piece $1 block is sold at $40 while the eight-piece $1 block is priced at $100.

A SEND off ceremony was held yesterday for two Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) contingents on monitoring and peacekeeping missions abroad.

Six personnel from the RBAF and one personnel from Royal Brunei Police Force will monitor the ceasefire agreement between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the 12th International Monitoring Team (IMT) mission in Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.

The religious ceremony, organised by Mukim and Village Consultative Councils, commenced simultaneously in all four districts on March 2, 2015, ended at the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

Accompanying Their Majesties to the event were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah b…

Heart of Borneo Corridor Initiative: A gift to the worldPosted date: August 23, 2015| Mahmud Yussof, CEO of Heart of Borneo Centre &
Head of Biodiversity Research and Innovation Centre |

DESPITE the world’s third largest island being situated between the Indo-Pacific Basin and Malaysia, evidently, Borneo Island still holds the world’s richest biodiversity hotspot. Its tropical rainforest – straddles from north to south in what is known as the Heart of Borneo (HoB) area – is the world’s oldest tropical rainforest ecosystem, with its evolution estimated to have started as early as 130 million years ago.

According to WWF Malaysia President Dato Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin (PhD), a prominent nature lover and ecotourism key player in Sabah, unlike the Amazon in South America, Borneo Island did not experience the continental drift. Hence, the Bornean tropical rainforest ecosystem is the most ancient ecosystem in the world.

Also in attendance yesterday were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

A special performance by some 569 Brunei-Muara District residents was one of the highlights of the day.

His Majesty also received greetings from thousands of well-wishers in the much-awaited interaction with their beloved monarch.

Ecstatic schoolchildren in colourful uniforms waving mini national flags lined the streets en-route to the royal dais as the royal entourage made a grand entry into the field.

Also in attendance yesterday were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

IT WAS a day of copious jollity as Belait District yesterday came alive for the reception of its benevolent monarch.

Thousands of people flocked to the Kuala Belait Municipal Field as early as 6am to grab the opportunity to greet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the monarch’s traditional Junjung Ziarah ceremony in conjunction with His Majesty’s 69th birthday celebration.

Belait is the third district to host the event which was kicked off in Tutong on August 18.

Also in attendance yesterday were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

A road trip to neighbouring Miri back in the 1970s was considered a rough and a difficult journey. The bus was the only means of transportation if one was to decide on a trip to Miri as the roads were still considered risky if travelling by one’s own vehicle.

The writer remembered departing from Bandar Brunei as early as 6am to catch the chartered bus heading to Kuala Belait and would only reach the latter at around 9am.

After a quick breakfast, everyone would be ushered to a bus belonging to ‘Syarikat Bas Berlima Brunei & Miri’.

The journey to Miri would start by riding on the Sungai Teraban ferry heading towards the Sungai Tujoh Control Post by means of the beach road .

Once the travel documents are cleared, we would head to Baram where we will go on a two-hour ride on another ferry heading to Miri town. would …

THE royal get-together between His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the residents of the Temburong District took place yesterday at the field of the community hall complex in Pekan Bangar in conjunction with the monarch’s 69th birthday celebration.

His Majesty was greeted by crowds comprising residents, school children and foreigners working in the country, upon his arrival via helicopter at 10.30am. People also flocked to the area to watch performances involving 369 participants that were based on a theme of education throughout the years in the Sultanate from the 1960’s until current times.

Some 40 people representing their respective ethnic groups – Malay, Murut, Tiong Hwa and Iban – were dressed in their traditional attire, helping to make the…

THE atmosphere was exuberant in the Temburong District as the “Green Jewel” of Brunei Darussalam welcomed its beloved ruler yesterday.

People from all walks of life in their thousands assembled at the Civic Hall Complex in Pekan Bangar to convey their greetings to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the monarch’s traditional meet-the-people programme for Temburong District in conjunction with the monarch’s 69th birthday celebration.

His Majesty’s Junjung Ziarah is one of the most significant celebrations in the country’s annual calendar of events as it is a platform for the people to get up close to their much adored king.

The annual traditional get-together ceremony will be observed in all the districts. Temburong is the second district…